Claude Humphrey (1944-2021) American Football Player

Claude Humphrey American Football Player

For thirteen-seasons (1968 to 1974 and 1976 to 1981), he played at the defensive-end position in the National Football League with the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles. He made his first impression on the football field and basketball court during his years at Lester High School in Tennessee.

He played collegiate football at Tennessee State University where he achieved All American honors. Selected by the Atlanta Falcons as the number 3 overall pick during the 1968 NFL Draft, he totaled 171 career regular season games. Humphrey was a contributor to the Philadelphia Eagles’ team which captured the NFC Title for the 1980 season.

Individually, he distinguished himself when he earned Defensive Player Rookie of the Year honors in 1968, received Pro-Bowl status six-times (1970 to 1974 and 1977) and achieved All-Pro recognition twice (1972 to 1973). He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

Humphrey totaled 130 career sacks and produced a career-high 15.5 sacks in 1980. At the time of his death, he is the all time Atlanta Falcons leader for sacks with 99.5.

Full Bio

Claude Humphrey Professional career

Humphrey was drafted out of Tennessee State University in the first round of the 1968 NFL Draft with the third overall choice by the Falcons. Humphrey was an All-American in 1967.

Humphrey’s stellar career included being named first-team All-Pro five times (1971–74, and 1977), second-team All-Pro three times (1969, 1970, 1976), and All-NFC six times (1970–74, 1977). He was second-team All-NFC in 1976 when Humphrey unofficially recorded a career-high 15 quarterback sacks. In addition, Humphrey was named to the Pro Bowl six times over the span of his career (1970–74 & 1977).



Claude Humphrey (1944-2021) American Football Player

Humphrey finished out his career with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1979–81. In 1980 Humphrey was a designated pass rusher, recording a team-high 14½ sacks helping the Eagles become NFC champions and earn a spot in Super Bowl XV. He finished his career with an unofficial 126½ career sacks with the Falcons and Eagles. He retired in 1981, the season before sacks were recorded as an official NFL statistic.

During Super Bowl XV, Humphrey was called for roughing the passer against Oakland Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett. Humphrey picked up the penalty flag and fired it back at referee Ben Dreith.

Humphrey was a member of the Georgia Hall of Fame and the Tennessee Hall of Fame. His alma mater (Tennessee State University) retired his number and inducted him into their Hall of Fame. His high school has also retired his jersey and he is a member of his high school Hall of Fame, and is a member of the Atlanta Falcons Ring of Honor.

The Professional Football Researchers Association named Humphrey to the PRFA Hall of Very Good Class of 2009.

Humphrey was a member of Phi Beta Sigma.

Humphrey died on December 3, 2021, at the age of 77.

Outside Football

Humphrey also had a guest appearance on The Dukes of Hazzard episode “Repo Men” in which he portrayed Big John, a counterfeiter.

Claude Humphrey Pro Football Hall of Fame 

Humphrey was a final 15 candidate in 2003, 2005, and 2006. On August 27, 2008, he was named as one of two senior candidates for the 2009 Hall of Fame election. In August 2013, he was named as one of two senior candidates for the 2014 Hall of Fame election.

In February 2014, Claude Humphrey was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the senior ballot.

On August 2, 2014, Humphrey was officially inducted at the Enshrinement Ceremony where his bust, sculpted by Scott Myers, was unveiled.